IMPAIRED PRODUCTION OF INTERLEUKINS IN PATIENTS WITH CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNODEFICIENCIES

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (2) , 338-344
Abstract
The poor mitogen response to phytohemagglutinin (PHA) of lymphocytes from 3 patients with cell-mediated immunodeficiencies was restored to normal when supernatants containing interleukin 2 (IL-2) were added. One of 3 children with severe combined immunodeficiency also showed a partial response. There was no improvement in the normal mitogenic response of the lymphocytes from patients with either the X linked or common variable forms of hypogammaglobulinemia. All 3 patients with cell-mediated immunodeficiencies showed gross imbalance in the ratio of helper/inducer (OKT4+) to suppressor/cytotoxic (OKT8+) T cells. The PHA stimulated culture supernatant from one of these patients failed to induce proliferation of a cytolytic continuous T cell line. The underlying defect in these patients may be a failure in production of interleukins but not in the acquisition of IL-2 receptors.